Morphological Changes During Annealing of Electrodeposited Ni-Cr Coating on Steel and Their Effect on Corrosion in 3% of NaCl Solution

Steel containing carbon of 0.2% was coated with Ni and Cr through electrodeposition, and subsequently annealed at 400 and 600 °C for 5 min, 30 min, 1 h and 2 h. During annealing at 400 °C, the formation and growth of oxides occurred in the form of petals along with voids, cracks and porosities. However, at 600 °C, the nucleation and growth of chromium oxide whiskers produced a surface almost free from crack, porosity and void for 1 h and 2 h of holding. In accordance with the surface morphology, the bare steel, as-deposited steel, all specimens deposited and annealed at 400 °C, and specimens deposited and annealed at 600 °C for 5 and 30 min exhibited continuous corrosion in 3% of NaCl solution. However, the specimens deposited and annealed at 600 °C for 1 and 2 h exhibited an improved corrosion resistance in 3% of NaCl solution with high pitting potential due to presence of a dense passive oxide film almost free from voids at the surface.